Backup to the backup helps Punahou win

Kale Ane is well aware of the number of quarterbacks around the island who have missed time with injuries.

The Punahou coach is dealing with injury concerns of his own with Ephraim Tuliloa missing his third straight game with a shoulder injury. So he gave third-stringer Stephen Barber the majority of the reps Friday afternoon against ‘Iolani.

Barber showed he could run with 88 rushing yards on 10 attempts, but was 4-for-16 passing for only 31 yards as the top-ranked Buffanblu needed to come up with two big interceptions late to hold off ‘Iolani 35-23 at Alexander Field.

Wayne Taulapapa rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns, and Kamauliola Aina and Ryan Dominick intercepted passes in the final three minutes to hold off the Raiders (2-5, 0-4).

"We have a lot of kids who got first-time opportunities and it was good for them to get in there under pressure," Ane said. "’Iolani did a great job of moving the chains and do the things they had to do."

Nick Kapule was 8-for-9 for 147 yards before Barber took over midway through the second quarter with Punahou (7-0, 4-0) ahead 21-7.

Barber threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Keala Martinson to push the Buffanblu lead to 28-7 and led Punahou to a score on the opening drive of the second half.

Taulapapa’s fourth touchdown run came with 5:28 left in the third quarter and the Buffanblu didn’t score again.

"With (the ILH) such a physical league, you want to develop as many people as you can and we wanted to get (Barber) some opportunities," Ane said. "I think he really did well, but that’s just the positive coach in me. When I analyze it I’m sure I’ll see some things he has to work on."

The top three teams in the ILH have started seven quarterbacks already this season.

‘Iolani has stuck with sophomore Tai-John Mizutani after he won a quarterback competition that lasted through nonleague play.

Mizutani was 33-for-62 for 329 yards and two touchdowns with four picks.

"It comes down to us executing and finishing drives," Mizutani said. "We have 10-play drives, 12-play drives, 15-play drives but we have to finish."

‘Iolani ran 98 plays and rolled up 424 yards of total offense despite losing its best receiver, Keoni-Kordell Makekau, early in the first quarter.

Makekau caught Mizutani’s first two completions but was hit near the sideline and knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury.

The senior ranks fifth in career receiving among all Oahu high schools with 2,288 yards in 30 games.

Nicholas Kennedy stepped up in Makekau’s absence with a career-best 15 catches for 169 yards.

Punahou is 27-1 since the start of the 2013 season.